Laraki Explained

Laraki Automobiles SA
Foundation:1999
Founder:Mohamed Laraki
Location City:Casablanca
Location Country:Morocco
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:Abdeslam Laraki, owner
Products:Fulgura, Borac, Epitome
Services:Luxury sports cars development

Laraki Automobiles SA is a Moroccan manufacturer of high-performance sports cars based in Casablanca, Morocco.[1]

History

Laraki was established in 1999 by Abdesslam Laraki, a Moroccan designer and entrepreneur[2] who first became wealthy by importing cars in Morocco beginning in 1973. His son and the current owner of the firm is Abdeslam Laraki, a Moroccan designer who started out creating luxurious yachts and created the eponym company Laraki. Then following the steps of his father, he studied automobile design in Switzerland and soon after launched his first model, the Laraki Fulgura, in 2002.[3] [4] In 2012, the conceptual artist Eric Van Hove arrived in Marrakech to resume work on an ambitious sculptural endeavor he had prepared for years: V12 Laraki. In the space of nine months, he gathered around him 42 master craftsmen from the region and began rebuilding a Mercedes 6.2 L V12 engine using rural materials and centuries old craft techniques from the North African country. Conceptually, this sculpture is based on the story of the Laraki Fulgura, which was entirely manufactured in Morocco to the exception of its engine. The artist decided to try and reproduce that cutting-edge component locally using craft[5] That sculpture was displayed at the 5th Marrakech Biennale and soon acquired by the Hood Museum of Art.[6]

The technical director is Peter Tutzer, previously from Bugatti.

Models

Fulgura

The Laraki Fulgura is the company's first attempt at a sports car. Originally unveiled as a concept at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show,[7] a proposed production version debuted a year later at the same show. A slightly redesigned version of the bodywork was unveiled in 2005.

Based on the frame and mechanicals of a Lamborghini Diablo, the Fulgura is equipped with a quad-turbo Mercedes-Benz 6.0 L V12, initially proposed to produce 9200NaN0, attached to a 6-speed manual transmission. A new aerodynamic carbon fibre body is also added. This brings the Fulgura to an estimated price of $555,750. Performance for the Fulgura is an estimated top speed of 3980NaN0 and acceleration of 0 – 1000NaN0 in 3.3 seconds. By 2006, these figures were amended and the 6.0 L V12 was proposed to produce 7300NaN0, and mated to a 7-speed gearbox and a top speed of 3500NaN0 and 0–100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Also cheaper V8 version of the Fulgara has 5.4 L supercharged M113 engine which produses 570 hp.

Borac

The Laraki Borac is the company's second model, and debuted as a concept at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The car was originally planned for production by 2011, but a final design was never unveiled.

The design of the Borac is that of a grand tourer, with a front engine layout and even the possibility of two small rear seats. The Borac is not based on an existing design, unlike the Fulgura. A Mercedes-Benz 6.0 L V12 powers the Borac, although it lacks the turbocharging of the Fulgura. This results in a proposed output of 540hp, producing a top speed of 3100NaN0 and acceleration from 0 - 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

Epitome

The Laraki Epitome was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2013.[8] Nine cars of this model are planned to be built.[9]

Fitted with the V8 engine of a Z06 Chevrolet Corvette, Laraki added twin turbochargers to the already powerful engine. Fueled by 91-octane gasoline fuel, the Epitome can produce 1,200 Horsepower. Additionally it has a second fuel tank that can be filled with 110-octane gasoline fuel, which can up it to 1,750 Horsepower. The body is made of carbon fiber.[10] The car weighs 2,800 pounds.

The Epitome made the headlines: With a $2 million price tag, it was dubbed the most expensive car on the market.[11] Hip-hop artist French Montana bought one of the 9 models planned for production.[12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Made In Africa: 8 African Car Manufacturers. Afkinsider.com. 20 January 2016. 5 September 2017.
  2. News: Laraki Returns With New Epitome Supercar. Motor Authority. 2017-12-19. en.
  3. Web site: LARAKI: a 'Made in Morocco' supercar that fails to thrust its way into the market. Moroccansoftheworld.com. 19 March 2016. Asmae Azouagh. 5 September 2017.
  4. Web site: Viknesh Vijayenthiran. Laraki Returns With New Epitome Supercar. Motor Authority. 29 September 2014. 19 August 2013.
  5. Book: Free Trade Agreements: US Strategies and Priorities. 9780881324587. Schott. Jeffrey J.. 7 May 2004.
  6. Web site: Van Hove's bespoke engine: Part homage, part reproach - the Boston Globe. The Boston Globe.
  7. News: LARAKI: a 'Made in Morocco' supercar that fails to thrust its way into the market. 2016-03-19. Moroccans of the World. 2017-12-19. en-GB.
  8. News: Meet The Laraki Epitome Super Car With A $2 Million Price Tag. Anthony. Robert. Elite Daily. 2017-12-19. en.
  9. News: Laraki Epitome, a Moroccan engineering masterpiece worth $2 million. 2013-10-03. Morocco World News. 2017-12-19. en-US.
  10. http://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge/DesignerEdgeArticles/ArticleID/6234/The-Laraki-Epitome.aspx The Laraki Epitome
  11. Web site: Laraki Motors Epitome Concept is $2M and 1,750 hp that we didn't see coming. Autoblog.com. 18 August 2013. Seyth Miersma. 5 September 2017.
  12. Web site: French Montana Buys Laraki Epitome. Dupontregistry.com. 27 April 2015. Caitlin Duffy. 5 September 2017.